Milk (2008) Film Review - Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch

Plot Summary - Bio-pic following the true story of gay rights activist Harvey Milk, from 1970 to his death in 1978. The film mainly follows his San Francisco election campaigns for city supervisor, and his male love interests including Scott (James Franco), a long-term partner he picks up in the subway, and a fragile young Latin man named Jack.

Review - This film is a very well done, interesting watch - an interesting weaving of film with real documentary footage and extremely well done performance by Sean Penn as Milk. I also liked Emile Hirsch (one of my faves) in this, who plays a gung-ho young activist assisting with Milk's campaigns. Rating - 9.5/10 stars

W. (2008) Film Review - Oliver Stone, Josh Brolin

Plot Summary - Oliver Stone directed biopic about George W. Bush (Josh Brolin). Focusing on President Bush in the White House mainly in the decision days before the Iraq War, the film flashbacks throughout the film to show his earlier years. Going back to his Yale fraternity initiation, the day he meets future wife Laura at a barbecue, his struggles with alcoholism, and struggles between him and his father - all leading to Bush changing his ways to become a born-again Christian, his life in politics leading up to his election as Texas governor and finally the Presidency.

Review - I thought the film gave a pretty sympathetic look at G.W. Bush, but as a whole was a well done film anyway. I'm not the queen of bio-pics unless really superbly done - following that note, this was a typical one: nicely filmed, very well acted, but nothing great. I thought Josh Brolin did a good job playing Bush. Rating - 8/10 stars